Truck driver survives gorge plunge

A driver crashed through a barrier and over a bank on a bridge leading into The Gorge from the Woodville end.

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The driver of an Infracon truck was taken to Palmerston North Hospital after his vehicle plunged over the side of a bridge in the Manawatu Gorge.

Infracon Woodville manager Paul Baddington said the man was travelling towards Ashhurst when the crash happened shortly before 9am yesterday on State Highway 3.

The truck, a Mitsubishi Canter, broke through a bridge guard rail and careened down a bank before coming to rest on the sandy riverbank. The driver suffered a cut to his head and was taken to hospital by St John ambulance to be checked, Mr Baddington said.

Woodville police Senior Constable Carey Williamson said the driver "came to grief on a corner" before leaving the road.

One lane of State Highway 3 was closed for a time while a barrier was repaired.